'Storage Wars'-inspired thrift shop expands in Bethel

Dirk Perrefort

Published 10:07 pm, Monday, May 12, 2014

Eugene Glouzgal, 28, of Ridgefield, left and Brian Donahue, 28, of Bethel, have opened up Suited Connectors, a thrift shop on Stony Hill Road in Bethel, Conn. they are photographed in their store Monday, May 12, 2014.

Eugene Glouzgal, 28, of Ridgefield, and Brian Donahue, 28, of Bethel, have opened up Suited Connectors, a thrift shop on Stony Hill Road in Bethel, Conn. they are photographed in their store Monday, May 12, 2014.
Photo: Carol Kaliff

Eugene Glouzgal, 28, of Ridgefield, and Brian Donahue, 28, of Bethel, have opened up Suited Connectors, a thrift shop on Stony Hill Road in Bethel, Conn. they are photographed in their store Monday, May 12, 2014.
Photo: Carol Kaliff

Eugene Glouzgal, 28, of Ridgefield, nd Brian Donahue, 28, of Bethel, have opened up Suited Connectors, a thrift shop on Stony Hill Road in Bethel, Conn. D.A.S.H or Danbury Action Sports Headquarters, which sells paintball guns among other sports items, is in the same space.
Photo: Carol Kaliff

A local thrift shop inspired by the popular television series "Storage Wars" is expanding after less than a year in business.

Brian Donahue started Suited Connectors about a year ago on Stony Hill Road and gets a majority of his eclectic product selection from storage locker auctions throughout the region.

"We just couldn't fit any more stuff in our old location," Donahue said. "So we moved to the front of the building where we have more space and are more visible from the roadway."

Donahue, a real estate agent by day, said he first started the business after becoming addicted to "Storage Wars" and "Pawn Brokers," popular television shows featuring people making a living off secondhand merchandise.

"I went to a few auctions and decided to try and make a business out of it," Donahue said. "It's not as easy as it looks. There is a lot of risk involved and it can be very labor-intensive."

Most storage units have to be cleaned out within 24 hours of winning an auction, he said, and many people who frequent them often sell their winnings out of their garage or on eBay.

"Most people don't have the overhead like we do," he said. "But having this location gives us more visibility. I'll also take some of the more interesting items to the flea markets on the weekends."

One of his most recent acquisitions was a storage locker that was full of Coca-Cola memorabilia, which is now displayed in the front of the store. Other items for sale at the 5,000-square-foot shop include antique Tonka and Hess trucks, photography equipment, housewares and camping gear.

Donahue, who grew up in Bethel, said he wanted to keep the store in his hometown and felt Stony Hill was the perfect location, with traffic from nearby Interstate 84 and a large housing development under construction down the road at the former Stony Hill Inn site.

"The exposure we get here is a lot better than our previous location," said Eugene Glouzgal, who runs the paintball operation with his brother, Slavo. "Paintball is really coming back in popularity. Instead of playing video games, kids get the chance to play outside and get some exercise."

"As it gets harder and harder for some retailers to make their rental payments, combining several businesses under one roof can make it a lot easier," she said. "It's also nice to see a long-vacant storefront in Stony Hill alive with activity again. I wish them all the best."